The Daily Monitor
16 March 2008
interview
Addis Ababa — Despite extensive construction projects witnessed in the country over the last ten or so years, the construction sector saw certain setbacks that mainly have to do with quality and standard.
Leaving the shortage of cement and other raw materials aside, experts in the field contend that the problem with Ethiopian construction sector was one revolving management.
Cognizant of thus, the there has been positive signs that some companies in the sector are striving to employing a management system in an effort to enhance efficiency and boost productivity.
The recent international quality certificate award handed outlast week to companies engaged in construction and architecture sector is a case in point.
Eight companies engaged from the sector received the ISO - 9001-2000 award for implementing a quality management system by the German . .
A first class construction company to receive such an award, the first of its kind in the country was the Tekle Berhan Ambaye construction PLC (TACON)
The Daily Monitor took a chance to meet Teklebirhan Ambaye, Owner and Manager of TACON and he shared some light in the award and issues surrounding the construction sector of the country in general. Excerpts:
We would like to first and foremost congratulate you on your recent award ISO-9001-2000, so let's talk about that, for a start. What is it? And what does that mean to you as a company?
Thank you. The ISO is a German based international quality standard organization established in Geneva some years back. It is one of the international organization involved in issuing certificating, following an extensive audit to a company's big and small management.
Securely the certification means you are localized to participate in an international competition, including level competitions required to meet understanding standards. As far as we are concerned, now that we have secured that we plan to compute in neighboring countries, including in places as far as Europe and the Middle East.
What does it take for a construction sector like yours to shift to that kind of management system?
Every organization has to have its own management system. A construction company is without an exception. Management in a construction company includes all activities right from excavation to finishing.
The process involves the entire project: right from excavation to finishing the actual building, road, bridge, whatever.
To put that in a nut shell, the company needs to put together its money, minds in a coordinated and efficient manner in a process to achieve its objectives.
To that end, you need to put in place the right, workable, efficient management system that is what we did.
What do you plan to achieve by introducing the management system?
Let's talk about the construction sector in Ethiopia, which arguably is said to be booming. How do you rate the sector in terms of quality, standard . . . etc?
Well, I personally think the sector has many problems, both in terms of the professional competence, and lack of capacity. Some also lack the managerial skill, necessary to run a business company. Many operate under the misguided conception that, every one who can handle a day's work, can run a company.
The result is waste of resources, time and money and, most importantly, poor quality buildings of many sort.
The advantages of putting the efficient management system can not be overemphasized.
Do you believe construction companies should put in place the system; do you think that will put your company in a better position, in light of other companies which have not introduced the system yet?
Of course yes. The management system which we create and work at the beginning helps us to get the certification and to be in a better position. After sometime the government, Ministry Capacity Building is going to require this ISO certification for competing. So without having this certification you will not be able to competing.
How prepare do you think you are to enter and compete in the international market?
We have a vision; our vision is to be a cross-border construction company. Now we have the certificate and then will try to go to international market. After sometime we will have some work around Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, and Djibouti.
What do you think about the future of the construction sector?
Well, the construction sector will continue as it is. I think the government has to interfere and do something particularly on the price of the raw materials.
One of the problems we have is cement. Currently, a numbers of cement factories are coming and we hope that the price of cement will subside and become consistent so we can get it at reasonable price.
But this will happen with the interference of the government only.
I don't think the construction sector will be able to continue with present trends.
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